The Baptism In The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God the Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. He is co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and God the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ).
(Acts 5:3-4 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”-Acts 13:2, Acts 21:11)
The Holy Spirit is the Helper whom the Father sent to be with the church after Christ ascended into heaven.
(John 14:16-17) 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit
(Matt 3:1, 11, 13) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,- 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
We are encouraged by scripture to be filled with the Spirit
Eph 5:18- 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit-The Christians at Ephesus all spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Spirit-You will speak in tongue when you receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Acts 19:6-Acts 10:45-46-Acts 2:4. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
DISCIPLES – BORN AGAIN
When were the disciples “Born Again”, or when did they become Christians? When they received the Holy Spirit. This occurred on the day of Christ’s resurrection.
(John 30:19-22) The Apostles Commissioned 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled,[a] for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
How do we know this is true? Because when the Spirit of God comes to live inside of someone, they are “Born Again”
John 3:6-7 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.
Rom 8:9-11 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
How can someone receive the Spirit of God?
By inviting Jesus Christ to come into his life to be his Lord and Savior.
Rom 8:9-11 (NLT) 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[a] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[b] his Spirit who lives in you.-Rev 3:20 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
When we are “Born Again”, we receive the Spirit (a breath –
John 20:22) 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
When we are Baptized with the Holy Spirit, we are filled with the Spirit. (a rushing mighty wind – Acts 2:2-4 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Promise of the Father
Jesus Christ’s final words is His disciples were to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father
(Acts 1:4) 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;---
Luke 24:49 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem[a] until you are endued with power from on high.
What was this Promise?
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:4-5 The Holy Spirit Promised
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
What did it do?
It gave the disciples the POWER –
Acts 1:8 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Luke 24:49-53
Today, those who are desiring to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit should follow the
1st century disciples example of praising and blessing God while seeking this precious gift.
Four Scriptural account of Christians being baptized in the Holy Spirit
#1 PENTECOST 30 A.D.
The Christians at Pentecostal were ALL FILLED with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues
Acts 2:1-4 Coming of the Holy Spirit 2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
GOD PROMISED TO POUR OUR HIS SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH- This was the beginning of the fulfillment of the scripture in Joel that God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh.
Acts 2:16-18 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS FOR TODAY- The Promise of the Father, known as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, was promised to all future generations of Christians.
Acts 2:38-39- 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
At this point, only Jews were Baptized with the Holy Spirit, and this was done without the Laying on of hands
Acts 2:4 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
#2 PHILLIP IN SAMARIA 32 A.D.
Philip’s preaching of the Gospel was accompanied by powerful, visible miracles –
Acts 8:5-7-5 Then Philip went down to the[a] city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
SIMON WANTED THE POWER TO IMPART THE Holy Spirit more than miracles—These miracles did not impress Simon the Sorcerer as much as when the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit-You will find this in
Acts 8:9-20 9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of god.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery.
12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
The Apostles emphasize the importance of the Holy Spirit-
Though the Samaritans believed and were Baptized in Water, the Apostles Peter and John felt it necessary to go to Samaria to impart the Holy Spirit in the new believers. Acts 8:14-16 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
How much more do we need the Holy Spirit in our generation.
In this case, the Holy Spirit was given by the Laying on of Hands. Acts 8:17 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
It appears that all present received the Holy Spirit Acts 8:17
THE GENTILES RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT 40 A.D.
All those present received the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:44
NO LAYING ON OF HANDS
IN THE CASE OF THE Gentiles, they did not receive the Holy Spirit through the Laying on of Hands
Acts 10:44 The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The same gift of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Acts 2:38 on the day of Pentecost, was poured out in Acts 10:45 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES-
The Jewish Christians were convinced that the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit because they heard them speak in tongues. Acts 10:45-46 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
Sometimes the Baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs before the Baptism in Water.
Acts 10:47-48- 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
#4 PAUL AT EPHESUS 54 A.D.
Paul obviously was talking to Christians because they are referred to as disciples and believers in Acts 19:1-2 Paul at Ephesus 19 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
Yet they had never been Baptized in The Holy Spirit or in water- Acts 19:2-3 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
All present received the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:4-7 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[a] and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES:
THE CHRISTIANS AT Ephesus all spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Spirit
Acts 19:6 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
In this case the Holy Spirit was given by the Laying On Of Hands.
Acts 19:6 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Also, when the Christians began to speak in tongues, they prophesied Acts 19:66 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied
HOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Let us consider two questions:
1. What goal did Jesus have in mind when teaching the disciples in Luke 11:1-13?
To teach them to pray.
Luke 11:1 “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
2. What was the main principle He was sharing with His disciples by using the story in Luke 11:5-13
Jesus was emphasizing a principal by way of contrast. He shows that the Father’s response to our request for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:9-13)will not be like that of the friend who was reluctant to grant the needs of his friend.
Luke 11:5-8 A Friend Comes at Midnight
5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Our Heavenly Father will give up the Gift of the Holy Spirit when we ask for it.
TONGUES
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is accompanied by evidence of speaking in Tongues “…33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Acts 2:33
Who in the Bible encouraged speaking in tongues?
Jesus told His disciples that believers would be able to speak in tongues. Mark 16:17 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
Paul encouraged believers to speak in tongues 1 Cor. 14:5. 18, 26, 39.----- 1 Cor 14:5 ----5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for[a] he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.—1 Cor 14:18 18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 1 Cor 14:2626 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Cor 14:3939 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
Who can understand our tongues?
God can understand our tongues 1 Cor. 14:2 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
No man can understand tongues 1 Cor 14:2
How should we use tongues?
Pray and sing in tongues. 1 Cor. 14:14-15. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
What do tongues do for us?
Gives us a special communication with God. Rom. 8:2626 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Builds up our faith Jude 20 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
Conclusion
A. Though it may be called:
1. The “baptism with the Holy Spirit” – Acts 1:5 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
2. The “gift of the Holy Spirit” – Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.–-- Acts 10:45 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
3. Being “filled with the Spirit” – Acts 2:4 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
4. “the promise of the Father” –
5. Acts 1:4- 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;
Acts 2:39 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
6. Being “endued with power from on high” –
Luke 24:49 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
These phrases are all describing the same experience
Jesus foretold would come upon
His disciples at Jerusalem. Acts 1:4
B. When someone is Born Again, God the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of him.
C. John 3:6-7 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’, Rom 8:9-11 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you..
When Jesus Baptizes someone in the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11), he is immersed in or filled with the power of the Spirit. Acts 1:8
D. The Bible shows that it is very important for Christians to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit and to speak
In tongues. Acts 19:2-6 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
E. There are some instances in the Bible when the Laying on of Hands was used to administer the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and there are other cases when it was not.
NO HANDS –
Acts 2:4 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
-Acts 10:44 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.-----
Hands –
Acts 8:17 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.–
Acts 19:6 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
F. The Scriptural Evidence of someone being Baptized In The Holy Spirit is speaking in an unknown tongue as the Spirit gives him utterance. As the Bible says in
II Cor 13:1 --“in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”
So, since we have three clear scriptures
(Acts 2:4 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance., ----
Acts 10:46, 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.---------
---Acts 19:6 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.), this evidence of tongues can readily be established.
G. There are no examples given in scripture of individuals who did not receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit who sincerely and honestly desired to receive it.
H. Acts 2:39 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
I. According to Jesus, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is worth asking, seeking and knocking for, and He promises that we will receive it.
J. Luke 11:9-13 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread[a] from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
